CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The AC-130U unexpectedly received enemy fire while providing close air support for a special operations unit on the ground. The gunship strategically moved through the air providing cover fire and continued on with it's mission. The crew continued on engaging the enemy until the ground forces were in the clear or the hostile threat was eliminated. Master Sgt. Kevin Kloeppel, Charleston AFB's most recent recipient of the Air Force Combat Action Medal, was part of a mission similar to this.
"We were focused on the job at hand and protecting the guys on the ground," said Sergeant Kloeppel, 16th Airlift Squadron chief loadmaster.
It was from this type of mission that Sergeant Kloeppel received the AFCAM. In addition to Sergeant Kloeppel, 24 Airmen have received this medal since its institution by the secretary of the Air Force March 15, 2007.
The medal was designed to recognize any service member from airman to colonel who risked their life by actively participating in combat while either in the air or on the ground. In order for an Airmen to receive this award, the individual must have been under direct hostile fire while operating in the enemy territory.
For Airmen on the ground inside the wire, requirements to be eligible for the medal consist of the individual being placed in a combat zone or a hazardous duty area where the Airmen is receiving imminent danger or hazardous duty pay. The individual must be present at risk of danger while perfoming in accordance with the set rules of engagement.
Airmen outside the wire must be fired upon by the enemy with lethal weapons. Returning fire depends on the situation and is not a prerequisite of the medal. In order for Airmen to qualify for the AFCAM outside of the wire, the individual should be serving in a defensive capacity, taking fire and engaging the enemy at hand. Individuals augmenting a defensive fighting position and taking fire, regardless of duties, would also qualify for the medal.
To receive the AFCAM while in the air, the individual must fly as an authorized aircrew member on aeronautical orders in direct support of a combat zone while under enemy attack by leathal weapons. As with the ground requirements, the combat must take place in a combat zone designated by the president through executive order or a qualified hazardous duty area in which the service member is receiving immintent danger pay or hazardous duty pay. In order for an Airman in the air to receive the AFCAM, the Airmen must be present at the time of imminent danger and perform satisfactorily in accordance with the rules of engagement.
Only one AFCAM may be earned during a qualifying period where future qualifying periods would be determinted by the secretary of the Air Force. There is not a minimum amount of time in theater to qualify for the medal and individuals may receive only one medal per operation.
The AFCAM consists of a medal and a ribbon and is similar to awards from other U.S. services, but is more specific to the combat conditions criteria. The awards similar to the AFCAM include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge and the Combat Action Ribbon.
The AFCAM doesn't count toward the Weighted Airmen Promotion System, but it shows service members who have entered combat and have been in enemy territory. The AFCAM also shows the Air Force is engaging in combat.
"It means we have transitioned," said Sergeant Kloeppel. "The Air Force is getting up close and personal with the enemy."